SCO2 Research Articles

Endocrinological features and epileptic encephalopathy in COX deficiency due to SCO1 mutations: case series and review of literature.

Cytochrome C oxidase (COX) is the fourth component of the respiratory chain and is located within the internal membrane of mitochondria. COX deficiency causes an inherited mitochondrial disease with significant genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity. Four clinical subtypes have been identified, each with distinct phenotypes and genetic variants. Mitochondrial complex IV deficiency nuclear type 4 (MC4DN4) is a form of COX deficiency associated with pathogenic variants in the SCO1 gene. We describe three patients with MC4DN4 with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), hypopituitarism, and SCO1 pathogenic variants. These patients' phenotypes considerably differ from previously reported MC4DN4 phenotypes as they associate DEE with progressive hypopituitarism and survival beyond the first months after birth. Pituitary deficiency in these patients progressively worsened and mainly involved growth hormone secretion and thyroid function. Our findings expand knowledge of phenotypic variability in MC4DN4 and suggest that SCO1 is a candidate gene for genetic hypopituitarism and DEE. Our paper describes three patients affected by MC4DN4 with hypopituitarism and developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), two features that have never been associated with this condition. In addition, we reviewed the clinical features of all previous cases of MC4DN4 to give the other clinicians a wide picture of the clinical phenotype of this genetic disease. We hope that the publication of our data may help others to identify this disease and consider the chance to analyze the SCO1 gene in cases of DEE associated with pituitary dysfunction. Our article contributes to expanding the spectrum of genetic hypopituitarism and proposes a model to explain an association between this condition, mitochondrial anomalies, and neurodevelopmental defects.

Influence of the interaction between p53 and ZNF568 on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation

The tumor suppressor p53 plays important roles in suppressing the development and progression of cancer by responding to various stress signals. In addition, p53 can regulate the metabolic pathways of cancer cells by regulating energy metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation. Here, we present a mechanism for the interaction between p53 and ZNF568. Initially, we used X-ray crystallography to determine the irregular loop structure of the ZNF568 KRAB domain; this loop plays an important role in the interaction between p53 and ZNF568. In addition, Cryo-EM was used to examine how the p53 DBD and ZNF568 KRAB domains bind together. The function of ZNF568 on p53-mediated mitochondrial respiration was confirmed by measuring glucose consumption and lactate production. These findings show that ZNF568 can reduce p53-mediated mitochondrial respiratory activity by binding to p53 and inhibiting the transcription of SCO2. SignificanceZNF568 can directly bind to the p53 DBD and transcriptionally regulate the SCO2 gene. SCO2 transcriptional regulation by interaction between ZNF568 and p53 may regulate the balance between mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis.

A test of the interaction between central and peripheral respiratory chemoreflexes in humans.

How central and peripheral chemoreceptor drives to breathe interact in humans remains contentious. We measured the peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity to hypoxia (PChS) at various isocapnic CO2 tensions ( ) to determine the form of the relationship between PChS and central . Twenty participants (10F) completed three repetitions of modified rebreathing tests with end-tidal ( ) clamped at 150, 70, 60 and 45mmHg. End-tidal ( ), , ventilation ( E ) and calculated oxygen saturation (SC O2 ) were measured breath-by-breath by gas-analyser and pneumotach. The E - relationship of repeat-trials were linear-interpolated, combined, averaged into 1mmHg bins, and fitted with a double-linear function ( E S, L min-1 mmHg-1 ). PChS was computed at intervals of 1mmHg of as follows: the difference in E between the three hypoxic profiles and the hyperoxic profile (∆ E ) was calculated; three ∆ E values were plotted against corresponding SC O2 ; and linear regression determined PChS (Lmin-1 mmHg-1 %SC O2 -1 ). These processing steps were repeated at each to produce the PChS vs. isocapnic relationship. These were fitted with linear and polynomial functions, and Akaike information criterion identified the best-fit model. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance assessed between-condition differences. E S increased (P<0.0001) with isoxic from 3.7±1.5 L min-1 mmHg-1 at 150mmHg to 4.4±1.8, 5.0±1.6 and 6.0±2.2 Lmin-1 mmHg-1 at 70, 60 and 45mmHg, respectively. Mean SC O2 fell progressively (99.3±0%, 93.7±0.1%, 90.4±0.1% and 80.5±0.1%; P<0.0001). In all individuals, PChS increased with , and this relationship was best described by a linear model in 75%. Despite increasing central chemoreflex activation, PChS increased linearly with indicative of an additive central-peripheral chemoreflex response. KEY POINTS: How central and peripheral chemoreceptor drives to breathe interact in humans remains contentious. We measured peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity to hypoxia (PChS) at various isocapnic carbon dioxide tensions ( ) to determine the form of the relationship between PChS and central . Participants performed three repetitions of modified rebreathing with end-tidal fixed at 150, 70, 60 and 45mmHg. PChS was computed at intervals of 1mmHg of end-tidal ( ) as follows: the difference in E between the three hypoxic profiles and the hyperoxic profile (∆ E ) was calculated; three ∆ E values were plotted against corresponding calculated oxygen saturation (SC O2 ); and linear regression determined PChS (Lmin-1 mmHg-1 %SC O2 -1 ). In all individuals, PChS increased with , and this relationship was best described by a linear (rather than polynomial) model in 15 of 20. Most participants did not exhibit a hypo- or hyper-additive effect of central chemoreceptors on the peripheral chemoreflex indicating that the interaction was additive.

Hepatic depletion of nucleolar protein mDEF causes excessive mitochondrial copper accumulation associated with p53 and NRF1 activation

Copper is an essential component in the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV (cytochrome c oxidases). However, whether any nucleolar factor(s) is(are) involved in regulating the mitochondrial copper homeostasis remains unclear. The nucleolar localized Def-Capn3 protein degradation pathway cleaves target proteins, including p53, in both zebrafish and human nucleoli. Here, we report that hepatic depletion of mDEF in mice causes an excessive copper accumulation in the mitochondria. We find that mDEF-depleted hepatocytes show an exclusion of CAPN3 from the nucleoli and accumulate p53 and NRF1 proteins in the nucleoli. Furthermore, we find that NRF1 is a CAPN3 substrate. Elevated p53 and NRF1 enhances the expression of Sco2 and Cox genes, respectively, to allow more copper acquirement in the mDefloxp/loxp, Alb:Cre mitochondria. Our findings reveal that the mDEF-CAPN3 pathway serves as a novel mechanism for regulating the mitochondrial copper homeostasis through targeting its substrates p53 and NRF1.

Protein Transduction Domain-Mediated Delivery of Recombinant Proteins and In Vitro Transcribed mRNAs for Protein Replacement Therapy of Human Severe Genetic Mitochondrial Disorders: The Case of Sco2 Deficiency

Mitochondrial disorders represent a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders with variations in severity and clinical outcomes, mostly characterized by respiratory chain dysfunction and abnormal mitochondrial function. More specifically, mutations in the human SCO2 gene, encoding the mitochondrial inner membrane Sco2 cytochrome c oxidase (COX) assembly protein, have been implicated in the mitochondrial disorder fatal infantile cardioencephalomyopathy with COX deficiency. Since an effective treatment is still missing, a protein replacement therapy (PRT) was explored using protein transduction domain (PTD) technology. Therefore, the human recombinant full-length mitochondrial protein Sco2, fused to TAT peptide (a common PTD), was produced (fusion Sco2 protein) and successfully transduced into fibroblasts derived from a SCO2/COX-deficient patient. This PRT contributed to effective COX assembly and partial recovery of COX activity. In mice, radiolabeled fusion Sco2 protein was biodistributed in the peripheral tissues of mice and successfully delivered into their mitochondria. Complementary to that, an mRNA-based therapeutic approach has been more recently considered as an innovative treatment option. In particular, a patented, novel PTD-mediated IVT-mRNA delivery platform was developed and applied in recent research efforts. PTD-IVT-mRNA of full-length SCO2 was successfully transduced into the fibroblasts derived from a SCO2/COX-deficient patient, translated in host ribosomes into a nascent chain of human Sco2, imported into mitochondria, and processed to the mature protein. Consequently, the recovery of reduced COX activity was achieved, thus suggesting the potential of this mRNA-based technology for clinical translation as a PRT for metabolic/genetic disorders. In this review, such research efforts will be comprehensibly presented and discussed to elaborate their potential in clinical application and therapeutic usefulness.

Identify Biomarkers and Design Effective Multi-Target Drugs in Ovarian Cancer: Hit Network-Target Sets Model Optimizing.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is highly aggressive with poor patient outcomes, and a deeper understanding of ovarian cancer tumorigenesis could help guide future treatment development. We proposed an optimized hit network-target sets model to systematically characterize the underlying pathological mechanisms and intra-tumoral heterogeneity in human ovarian cancer. Using TCGA data, we constructed an epithelial ovarian cancer regulatory network in this study. We use three distinct methods to produce different HNSs for identification of the driver genes/nodes, core modules, and core genes/nodes. Following the creation of the optimized HNS (OHNS) by the integration of DN (driver nodes), CM (core module), and CN (core nodes), the effectiveness of various HNSs was assessed based on the significance of the network topology, control potential, and clinical value. Immunohistochemical (IHC), qRT-PCR, and Western blotting were adopted to measure the expression of hub genes and proteins involved in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We discovered that the OHNS has two key advantages: the network's central location and controllability. It also plays a significant role in the illness network due to its wide range of capabilities. The OHNS and clinical samples revealed the endometrial cancer signaling, and the PI3K/AKT, NER, and BMP pathways. MUC16, FOXA1, FBXL2, ARID1A, COX15, COX17, SCO1, SCO2, NDUFA4L2, NDUFA, and PTEN hub genes were predicted and may serve as potential candidates for new treatments and biomarkers for EOC. This research can aid in better capturing the disease progression, the creation of potent multi-target medications, and the direction of the therapeutic community in the optimization of effective treatment regimens by various research objectives in cancer treatment.

Prenatal and postnatal diagnosis of Phelan-McDermid syndrome: A report of 21 cases from a medical center and review of the literature.

Background: Phelan–McDermid syndrome (PMS), caused by deletions at 22q13.3 and pathogenic variants in the SHANK3 gene, is a rare developmental disorder characterized by hypotonia, developmental delay (DD), intellectual disability (ID), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), dysmorphic features, absence of or delayed language, and other features. Methods: Conventional karyotyping, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), and whole exome sequencing (WES) have been used to detect genetic defects causing PMS. We summarized the genetic and clinical findings from prenatal to postnatal stages of detected cases of PMS and mapped potential candidate haploinsufficient genes for deletions of 22q13. This study aimed to summarize the laboratory findings, genetic defects, and genotype–phenotype correlations for Chinese patients with PMS. Results: Seven prenatal cases and fourteen postnatal cases were diagnosed with PMS in our center. Thirteen cases had a deletion ranging in size from 69 to 9.06 Mb at 22q13.2-q13.33, and five cases had a pathogenic variant or an intragenic deletion in the SHANK3 gene. Three familial cases with a parental carrier of a balanced translocation were noted. A review of the literature noted another case series of 29 cases and a report of five cases of PMS in China. Genotype–phenotype correlations confirmed haploinsufficiency of the SHANK3 gene for PMS and suggested other candidate haploinsufficient genes TNFRSFI3C and NFAM1 genes for immunological features and TCF20, SULT4A1, PARVB, SCO2, and UPK3A genes for intellectual impairment and behavioral abnormality, neurological features, macrocephaly/hypotonia, oculopathy, and renal adysplasia, respectively. Conclusion: Indications for prenatal diagnosis of PMS are not specific, and approximately 85% prenatally diagnosed PMS elected termination of pregnancies after genetic counseling. For postnatal cases, 62.5% were caused by a deletion at 22q13 and 37.5% were caused by a pathogenic variant or an intragenic deletion in the SHANK3 gene. Approximately 6.7% of cases with a deletion were familial, and almost all pathogenic variants were de novo. Combined karyotype, CMA, and WES should be performed to increase the diagnostic yield. The identification of other candidate haploinsufficient genes in deletions of 22q13.2-q13.33 could relate to more severe dysmorphic features, neurologic defects, and immune deficiency. These results provided evidence for diagnostic interpretation, genetic counseling, and clinical management for the Chinese cases of PMS.

P-560 Diagnostic value of whole exome sequencing (WES) in case of recurrent pregnancy losses

Abstract Study question Is it justified during genetic counseling to inform families with recurrent pregnancy losses about the possibility of testing abortion material using the WES method? Summary answer Informed families have the opportunity to find the monogenic cause of recurrent pregnancy losses with subsequent PGT-M analysis of embryos to prevent it. What is known already Despite WES is not recommended for recurrent pregnancy losses as a routine procedure, there are more and more data in favor of the practice. Study design, size, duration This is a retrospective study from 2019 to 2021 including 21 cases that were negative in case of routine karyotyping or aCGH. Three of them (14,3%) were found the cause of diseases by using WES. The study is ongoing. Participants/materials, setting, methods Whole exome sequencing of abortion material, chorionic villi specimens. Main results and the role of chance Family 1 has a history of euploid fetuses losses during the pregnancy. An autosomal recessive disease, Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome type II with early lethality (MIM 270400) was revealed by WES Trio at the 6th pregnancy loss case (mutations detected: c.964-1G&amp;gt;C and c.651C&amp;gt;A in DHCR7 gene in compound heterozygote state). The parents are Ashkenazi Jews and heterozygous carriers of a mutation in the same gene. The risk of pregnancy loss or stillbirth is 25%, and pregnancy planning by IVF with PGT-M is recommended. Family 2 has recurrent pregnancy losses, happening up to 11 weeks. A child was born with cardioencephalomyopathy, fatal infantile, due to cytochrome C oxidase deficiency 1 (MIM 604377). Mutation: c.418G&amp;gt;A in SCO2 gene in a homozygous state. The mutation was previously described as the cause of missed abortion. For family 3 was performed WES of abortus with congenital pathology. Mutation c.8263delC in Ciliary dyskinesia, primary, 40 (MIM 618300) gene DNAH9 in homo/heterozygous state. The mutation can result in malformations and stops in pregnancy development. The family is suggested to perform IVF with PGT-M. Limitations, reasons for caution The low detection frequency of monogenic causes of pregnancy losses and the high cost of the testing does not allow the use of WES of abortion material as a screening method. Wider implications of the findings Performing the WES helps to identify the high risks of monogenic pathology in the families. Changing reproductive tactics and pregnancy planning by IVF with PGT-M is recommended for early prevention of severe congenital pathology, stillbirth, malformations during pregnancy, recurrent pregnancy losses and reduction of the time to achieve healthy childbearing. Trial registration number not applicable

Expression of SCO1 and SCO2 after form-deprivation myopia in Guinea pigs.

The retina is a highly energy-consuming tissue associated with visual development, and the reduced quality of retinal imaging can be related to myopia. Synthesis of cytochrome c oxidase 1 (SCO1) and synthesis of cytochrome c oxidase 2 (SCO2) are involved in ATP (adenosine triphosphate) synthesis and energy metabolism. This study aimed to observe the morphologic changes and investigate the expression of SCO1 and SCO2 induced by form-deprivation myopia (FDM) in the retina and sclera of guinea pigs. Thirty-six 3-week-old male guinea pigs were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) the model group (n = 18), in which the right eyes were covered by a thin opaque balloon as FDM group, and the left eyes were uncovered and served as the contralateral control group; (2) the blank control group (n = 18), in which bilateral eye received no manipulation. Eyeballs were enucleated for histological analysis. The retina and sclera of the guinea pigs were separated to determine the protein and mRNA expression levels of SCO1 and SCO2, respectively. After four weeks of form deprivation (FD), the refractive degree and axial length increased significantly (P < 0.001). The retinal and scleral tissues were moderately thinner, and the ganglion cells and the cells of inner and outer nuclear layers in the retina became fewer. Compared with the contralateral control group (P < 0.001) and the blank control group (P < 0.001), the collagen content of the sclera became less in the FDM group. The protein and mRNA expression levels of SCO1 and SCO2 in the FDM group were significantly lower than those in the contralateral control group and the blank control group (P < 0.05). The morphologies of the retina and sclera were changed, and the expression of SCO1 and SCO2 at the protein and transcription levels was significantly reduced in the FDM group. Given these changes, SCO1 and SCO2 genes may be involved in myopic progression.

The function of Scox in glial cells is essential for locomotive ability in Drosophila

Synthesis of cytochrome c oxidase (Scox) is a Drosophila homolog of human SCO2 encoding a metallochaperone that transports copper to cytochrome c, and is an essential protein for the assembly of cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex. SCO2 is highly conserved in a wide variety of species across prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and mutations in SCO2 are known to cause mitochondrial diseases such as fatal infantile cardioencephalomyopathy, Leigh syndrome, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a neurodegenerative disorder. These diseases have a common symptom of locomotive dysfunction. However, the mechanisms of their pathogenesis remain unknown, and no fundamental medications or therapies have been established for these diseases. In this study, we demonstrated that the glial cell-specific knockdown of Scox perturbs the mitochondrial morphology and function, and locomotive behavior in Drosophila. In addition, the morphology and function of synapses were impaired in the glial cell-specific Scox knockdown. Furthermore, Scox knockdown in ensheathing glia, one type of glial cell in Drosophila, resulted in larval and adult locomotive dysfunction. This study suggests that the impairment of Scox in glial cells in the Drosophila CNS mimics the pathological phenotypes observed by mutations in the SCO2 gene in humans.

Development of a novel PTD-mediated IVT-mRNA delivery platform for potential protein replacement therapy of metabolic/genetic disorders

The potential clinical applications of the powerful in vitro-transcribed (IVT)-mRNAs, to restore defective protein functions, strongly depend on their successful intracellular delivery and transient translation through the development of safe and efficient delivery platforms. In this study, an innovative (international patent-pending) methodology was developed, combining the IVT-mRNAs with the protein transduction domain (PTD) technology, as an efficient delivery platform. Based on the PTD technology, which enables the intracellular delivery of various cargoes intracellularly, successful conjugation of a PTD to the IVT-mRNAs was achieved and evaluated by band-shift assay and NMR spectroscopy. In addition, the PTD-IVT-mRNAs were applied and evaluated in two protein-disease models, including the mitochondrial disorder fatal infantile cardioencephalomyopathy and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) deficiency (attributed to SCO2 gene mutations) and β-thalassemia. The PTD-IVT-mRNA of SCO2 was successfully transduced and translated to the corresponding Sco2 protein inside the primary fibroblasts of a SCO2/COX-deficient patient, whereas the PTD-IVT-mRNA of β-globin was transduced and translated in bone marrow cells, derived from three β-thalassemic patients. The transducibility and the structural stability of the PDT-IVT-mRNAs, in both cases, were confirmed at the RNA and protein levels. We propose that our novel delivery platform could be clinically applicable as a protein therapy for metabolic/genetic disorders.

TCF19 and p53 regulate transcription of TIGAR and SCO2 in HCC for mitochondrial energy metabolism and stress adaptation.

Alteration in glucose homeostasis during cancer metabolism is an important phenomenon. Though several important transcription factors have been well studied in the context of the regulation of metabolic gene expression, the role of epigenetic readers in this regard remains still elusive. Epigenetic reader protein transcription factor 19 (TCF19) has been recently identified as a novel glucose and insulin-responsive factor that modulates histone posttranslational modifications to regulate glucose homeostasis in hepatocytes. Here we report that TCF19 interacts with a non-histone, well-known tumor suppressor protein 53 (p53) and co-regulates a wide array of metabolic genes. Among these, the p53-responsive carbohydrate metabolic genes Tp53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) and Cytochrome C Oxidase assembly protein 2 (SCO2), which are the key regulators of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation respectively, are under direct regulation of TCF19. Remarkably, TCF19 can form different transcription activation/repression complexes which show substantial overlap with that of p53, depending on glucose-mediated variant stress situations as obtained from IP/MS studies. Interestingly, we observed that TCF19/p53 complexes either have CBP or HDAC1 to epigenetically program the expression of TIGAR and SCO2 genes depending on short-term high glucose or prolonged high glucose conditions. TCF19 or p53 knockdown significantly altered the cellular lactate production and led to increased extracellular acidification rate. Similarly, OCR and cellular ATP production were reduced and mitochondrial membrane potential was compromised upon depletion of TCF19 or p53. Subsequently, through RNA-Seq analysis from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, we observed that TCF19/p53-mediated metabolic regulation is fundamental for sustenance of cancer cells. Together the study proposes that TCF19/p53 complexes can regulate metabolic gene expression programs responsible for mitochondrial energy homeostasis and stress adaptation.

A human SCO2 mutation helps define the role of Sco1p in the cytochrome oxidase assembly pathway.

Deficiencies in cytochrome oxidase, the terminal enzyme of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, are most often caused by an inability to complete assembly of the enzyme. Pathogenic mutations in SCO2, which encodes a cytochrome oxidase assembly factor, were recently described in several cases of fatal infantile cardioencephalomyopathy. To determine the molecular etiology of these disorders, we describe the generation and characterization of the parallel mutations in the homologous yeast SCO1 gene. We show that the E155K yeast sco1 mutant is respiration-competent, whereas the S240F mutant is not. Interestingly, the S240F mutation allows partial but incorrect assembly of cytochrome oxidase, as judged by an altered cytochrome aa(3) peak. Immunoblot analysis reveals a specific absence of subunit 2 from the cytochrome oxidase in this mutant. Taken together, our data suggest that Sco1p provides copper to the Cu(A) site on subunit 2 at a step occurring late in the assembly pathway. This is the first instance of a yeast cytochrome oxidase assembly mutant that is partially assembled. The S240F mutant also represents a powerful new tool with which to elucidate further steps in the cytochrome oxidase assembly pathway.

In vivo biodistribution study of TAT-L-Sco2 fusion protein, developed as protein therapeutic for mitochondrial disorders attributed to SCO2 mutations

The rapid progress achieved in the development of many biopharmaceuticals had a tremendous impact on the therapy of many metabolic/genetic disorders. This type of fruitful approach, called protein replacement therapy (PRT), aimed to either replace the deficient or malfunctional protein in human tissues that act either in plasma membrane or via a specific cell surface receptor. However, there are also many metabolic/genetic disorders attributed to either deficient or malfunctional proteins acting intracellularly. The recent developments of Protein Transduction Domain (PTD) technology offer new opportunities by allowing the intracellular delivery of recombinant proteins of a given therapeutic interest into different subcellular sites and organelles, such as mitochondria and other entities. Towards this pathway, we applied successfully PTD Technology as a protein therapeutic approach, in vitro, in SCO2 deficient primary fibroblasts, derived from patient with mutations in human SCO2 gene, responsible for fatal, infantile cardioencephalomyopathy and cytochrome c oxidase deficiency.In this work, we radiolabeled the recombinant TAT-L-Sco2 fusion protein with technetium-99 m to assess its in vivo biodistribution and fate, by increasing the sensitivity of detection of even low levels of the transduced recombinant protein. The biodistribution pattern of [99mTc]Tc-TAT-L-Sco2 in mice demonstrated fast blood clearance, significant hepatobiliary and renal clearance. In addition, western blot analysis detected the recombinant TAT-L-Sco2 protein in the isolated mitochondria of several mouse tissues, including heart, muscle and brain. These results pave the way to further consider this PTD-mediated Protein Therapy Approach as a potentially alternative treatment of genetic/metabolic disorders.

Abstract A20: Investigating the role of SCO2 in the metabolic adaptation of cancer cells

Abstract SCO2 (synthesis of cytochrome c oxidase 2) is essential for the assembly and functioning of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COX) complex (IV). Mutations in the SCO2 gene have been reported to cause COX deficiency and result in fatal infantile cardioencephalomyopathy. Furthermore, the tumor suppressor protein p53 has been shown to mediate its effects on mitochondrial respiration via SCO2. SCO2-/- cells also exhibit increased intracellular oxygen and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) levels, leading to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative DNA damage. However, little is known regarding other metabolic adaptations triggered in response to SCO2 loss. To this end, metabolic profiling of wild-type (WT) and SCO2-/- colon cancer HCT116 cells was carried out using GC/MS. The steady-state levels of most of the glycolytic intermediates were higher in SCO2-/- as compared to WT cells with the exception of pyruvate. Moreover, an asymmetry was observed in the levels of the different tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates when contrasting WT and SCO2-/- cells. Citrate, malate, and alpha-ketoglutarate were elevated in WT relative to SCO2-/- HCT116 cells. In turn, succinate and 2-hydroxyglutarate were higher in SCO2-/- as compared to WT cells. Furthermore, the level of aspartate and asparagine was observed to be lower in the SCO2-/- HCT 116 compared to the WT HCT 116 cells, which is most likely to stem from the defects in oxidative phosphorylation caused by SCO2 loss. Stable isotope tracer analysis using 13C labeled glucose was done to monitor the flux of carbon atoms derived from glucose. As expected, SCO2-/- cells have minimal flux of carbon into the TCA cycle via acetyl CoA production due to the dysfunctional electron transport chain compared to the WT cells. However, SCO2-/- cells are still able to biosynthesize fumarate, malate and aspartate via pyruvate carboxylase. Hence, the SCO2-/- cells are still able to maintain TCA activity via pyruvate carboxylase, which may be necessary for their survival. Moreover, we observed alterations in mTOR signaling between SCO2-deficient and -proficient cells. Strikingly, rpS6 and 4E-BP1 were dramatically less phosphorylated in SCO2-/- cells as compared to WT, which illustrated a shutdown of mTORC1 activity upon SCO2 loss. In turn, AKT and likely mTORC2 activity were higher in SCO2-/- as compared to WT cells as illustrated by increased GSK3 and AKT phosphorylation. This suggests a rewiring of SCO2-/- cells whereby high AKT activity is not paralleled by increased mTOR activity, and we speculate that this is likely due to activation of AMPK. We hypothesize AMPK is activated to maintain energy balance in the cells where mitochondrial ATP production is reduced due to the loss of complex IV function. The changes may be important to the survival and proliferation of SCO2-/- cells and may explain the observed metabolic rewiring due to the loss of the gene. Citation Format: Alexandre V. Zhdanov, Oro Uchenunu, Nadezda A. Brazhe, Evelina Nikelshparg, Dmitry E. Andreev, Ruslan I. Dmitriev, Olga V. Sosnovtseva, Ivan Topisirovic, Dmitri B. Papkovsky. Investigating the role of SCO2 in the metabolic adaptation of cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Targeting PI3K/mTOR Signaling; 2018 Nov 30-Dec 8; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(10_Suppl):Abstract nr A20.

Real-Time PCR Analysis of Metabolism-Related Genes in a Long-Lived Model of C. elegans.

In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the mammalian tumor suppressor p53 ortholog CEP-1(C. elegans p53-like protein) is associated not only with the stress response, germline apoptosis, and meiotic chromosome segregation but also with longevity through the modification of energy metabolism during aging. The mitochondrial respiration-related gene sco-1 in C. elegans is orthologous to the human SCO1 gene and a target of p53/CEP-1. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, we recently found that the expression levels of sco-1 gene were increased in wild-type C. elegans in an aging-related manner and decreased in long-lived cep-1 mutants. Here, we describe the relative quantitative strategy using a commercial real-time PCR system to detect more accurately differences in the levels of expressed genes between long-lived and wild-type C. elegans strains. To estimate the expression levels of target genes compared with wild-type using relative quantification, we used the expression levels of an endogenous control gene, such as a housekeeping gene. In addition, it is critical to normalize differences in the expression levels of the common housekeeping gene among the strains analyzed for an accurate comparison of the quantitative expression levels of target genes.

Genomics and Epigenomics of Congenital Heart Defects: Expert Review and Lessons Learned in Africa.

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are structural malformations found at birth with a prevalence of 1%. The clinical trajectory of CHD is highly variable and thus in need of robust diagnostics and therapeutics. Major surgical interventions are often required for most CHDs. In Africa, despite advances in life sciences infrastructure and improving education of medical scholars, the limited clinical data suggest that CHD detection and correction are still not at par with the rest of the world. But the toll and genetics of CHDs in Africa has seldom been systematically investigated. We present an expert review on CHD with lessons learned on Africa. We found variable CHD phenotype prevalence in Africa across countries and populations. There are important gaps and paucity in genomic studies of CHD in African populations. Among the available genomic studies, the key findings in Africa were variants in GATA4 (P193H), MTHFR 677TT, and MTHFR 1298CC that were associated with atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect (VSD), Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), and patent ductus arteriosus phenotypes and 22q.11 deletion, which is associated with TOF. There were no data on epigenomic association of CHD in Africa, however, other studies have shown an altered expression of miR-421 and miR-1233-3p to be associated with TOF and hypermethylation of CpG islands in the promoter of SCO2 gene also been associated with TOF and VSD in children with non-syndromic CHD. These findings signal the urgent need to develop and implement genetic and genomic research on CHD to identify the hereditary and genome-environment interactions contributing to CHD. These projected studies would also offer comparisons on CHD pathophysiology between African and other populations worldwide. Genomic research on CHD in Africa should be developed in parallel with next generation technology policy research and responsible innovation frameworks that examine the social and political factors that shape the emergence and societal embedding of new technologies.

Genetic testing for Mendelian myopia

Abstract We studied the scientific literature and disease guidelines in order to summarize the clinical utility of genetic testing for Mendelian myopia (MM), a large and heterogeneous group of inherited refraction disorders. Variations in the SLC39A5, SCO2 and COL2A1 genes have an autosomal dominant transmission, whereas those in the LRPAP1, P3H2, LRP2 and SLITRK6 genes have autosomal recessive transmission. The prevalence of MM is currently unknown. Clinical diagnosis is based on clinical findings, family history, ophthalmological examination and other tests depending on complications. The genetic test is useful for confirming diagnosis, and for differential diagnosis, couple risk assessment and access to clinical trials.

Sco2 deficient mice develop increased adiposity and insulin resistance

Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) is an essential transmembrane protein complex (Complex IV) in the mitochondrial respiratory electron chain. Mutations in genes responsible for the assembly of COX are associated with Leigh syndrome, cardiomyopathy, spinal muscular atrophy and other fatal metabolic disorders in humans. Previous studies have shown that mice lacking the COX assembly protein Surf1 (Surf1−/− mice) paradoxically show a number of beneficial metabolic phenotypes including increased insulin sensitivity, upregulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, induction of stress response pathways and increased lifespan. To determine whether these effects are specific to the Surf1 mutation or a more general effect of reduced COX activity, we asked whether a different mutation causing reduced COX activity would have similar molecular and physiologic changes. Sco2 knock-in/knock-out (KI/KO) mice in which one allele of the Sco2 gene that encodes a copper chaperone required for COX activity is deleted and the second allele is mutated, have previously been shown to be viable despite a 30–60% reduction in COX activity. In contrast to the Surf1−/− mice, we show that Sco2 KI/KO mice have increased fat mass, associated with reduced β-oxidation and increased adipogenesis markers, reduced insulin receptor beta (IR-β levels in adipose tissue, reduced muscle glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) levels and a impaired response to the insulin tolerance test consistent with insulin resistance. COX activity and protein are reduced approximately 50% in adipose tissue from the Sco2 KI/KO mice. Consistent with the increase in adipose tissue mass, the Sco2 KI/KO mice also show increased hepatosteatosis, elevated serum and liver triglyceride and increased serum cholesterol levels compared to wild-type controls. In contrast to the Surf1−/− mice, which show increased mitochondrial number, upregulation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRMT) pathway and no significant change in mitochondrial respiration in several tissues, Sco2 KI/KO mice do not upregulate the UPRMT, and tissue oxygen consumption and levels of several proteins involved in mitochondrial function are reduced in adipose tissue compared to wild type mice. Thus, the metabolic effects of the Sco2 and Surf1−/− mutations are opposite, despite comparable changes in COX activity, illuminating the complex impact of mitochondrial dysfunction on physiology and pointing to an important role for complex IV in regulating metabolism.

Muscle oxygen saturation increases during head-up tilt-induced (pre)syncope.

To evaluate whether muscle vasodilatation plays a role for hypotension developed during central hypovolaemia, muscle oxygenation (Sm O2 ) was examined during (pre)syncope induced by head-up tilt (HUT). Skin blood flow (SkBF) and oxygenation (Sskin O2 ) were determined because evaluation of Sm O2 may be affected by superficial tissue oxygenation. Furthermore, we evaluated cerebral oxygenation (Sc O2 ) and middle cerebral artery mean blood flow velocity (MCAvmean ). Twenty healthy male volunteers (median age 24 years; range 19-38) were subjected to passive 50° HUT for 1 h or until (pre)syncope. Sc O2 and Sm O2 (near-infrared spectroscopy), MCAvmean (transcranial Doppler) along with mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) (Modelflow® ) were determined. (Pre)syncopal symptoms appeared in 17 subjects after 11 min (median; range 2-34) accompanied by a decrease in MAP, SV, CO and TPR, while HR remained elevated. During (pre)syncope, Sc O2 decreased [73% (71-76; mean and 95% CI) to 68% (65-71), P < 0.0001] along with MCAvmean [40 (37-43) to 32 (29-35) cm s-1 , P < 0.0001]. In contrast, Sm O2 increased [63 (56-69)% to 71% (65-78), P < 0.0001], while Sskin O2 [64% (58-69) to 53% (47-58), P < 0.0001] and SkBF [71 (44-98) compared to a baseline of 99 (72-125) units, P = 0.020] were reduced. We confirm that the decrease in MAP during HUT is associated with a reduction in indices of cerebral perfusion. (Pre)syncope was associated with an increase in Sm O2 despite reduced Sskin O2 and SkBF, supporting that muscle vasodilation plays an important role in the circulatory events leading to hypotension during HUT.